The Korea-Japan World Cup represents a very painful memory for Argentines. The Selectionat that time directed by Marcelo Bielsaarrived at the 2002 event as one of the big favorites to keep the title. But not only that he could not, but that he was very far: was eliminated in group zone.
On June 12, 2002, the Argentine National Team equaled 1 to 1 with Sweden and said goodbye to the World Cup. The wound was too great for a country that was in one of the worst crises in its history. and although more than 20 years have passedthe memory is still present and images appear that intensify the debate.
I also read: 20 years after the most painful elimination: the National Team turned from Korea-Japan in the first round
“Behind every moment of the FIFA World Cup there is a story. Korea-Japan 2002. Argentina on the verge of elimination. Free shot. And then…”, published the official World Cup account (@fifaworldcup_es) along with the video of an iconic moment, in which Juan Sebastian Veron -as he prepares to kick a free kick- he asks Bielsa for calm 88 minutes into the duel against Sweden, with the National Team on the brink of the abyss.
In the images published by FIFA you can see the exact moment in which Bielsa, desperate because time was slipping away and Argentina needed a goal, he shouts at Verón to don’t fall short in the center he was about to execute. To which the former midfielder replies showing the palm of the right handas asking for calm and tranquility.
“Seba, Seba, Seba, don’t fall short”, Bielsa yells at him. He basically asks you to send it the ball passes the first line to prevent it from being cleared in a simple way by the Swedish players. The center of Verón, however, it turns out very shortat the first suit, and is rejected without problems.
In the video published by FIFA you can see how Bielsa reacts to seeing the unsuccessful center that Verón had connected. “Don’t fall short, Seba”, repeats the coach, while taking his head, unable to believe it. A few minutes later, the National Team was eliminated from Korea-Japan 2002 in the group zone.
From that gesture of Verón asking Bielsa for calm, dozens of myths were built. Many Argentine fans blamed Veron of elimination by that simple gesture. The relationship between the public and the Brujita was broken, which however managed to overcome it and with Maradona as DT went to the 2010 World Cup.
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